Swimmer eager to get back into the water
Graeme Staples intends to major in sports management at Niagara University
Graeme Staples is focused on thermometers these days, though thankfully not the kind that can detect a fever during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The backyard pool at his family’s home in Welland opened Saturday and the 18-year-old, an accomplished swimmer at the club and high school levels, is eager to get back into the water sooner rather than later.
He can’t wait to start training for his freshman season on the swim team at Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y.
“It’s going to be too cold tomorrow (Saturday) but one day we will,” the Notre Dame College School student said.
Given how much Staples trains, to say it’s been a while since he was in the water perfecting his butterfly stroke would be an understatement. Before the Ontario government ordered all recreational facilities, including pools, closed, he was used to practising six days a week, up to 2 1/2 hours each day.
“I hope I still know how to swim,” he said with a laugh.
Staples made campus visits to Canisius College in Buffalo, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Waterloo, as well as Brock before committing to Niagara University.
“The coaching was really great. The people, the team,” he said. “It felt like a great fit.”
Tipping the scales further in NU’s favour was its sports management program.
“It’s just a great program,” said Staples, who hopes to have a career in the sports industry after he graduates.
Staying close to home rather than going out to Nova Scotia to attend Dalhousie was an important consideration for the son of Greg and Michele Staples, of Welland.
“It’s always nice for Thanksgiving and Christmas just travelling back over the border,” he said. “It’s about 45 minutes.”
Backlogs on international bridges notwithstanding, that estimate is likely to be bang on. After eight years of training out of STAR Swimming in Buffalo, Staples knows from experience how long it should take to get from Welland to western New York.
His former club in St. Catharines was affiliated with the Buffalo club and he joined when he was 10, following in older sister Alyssa’s footsteps. “My sister loved the program and the people, and I was at a young age,” Staples said. “So we just decided to stick with it and we have nothing but praise for it since.”
Alyssa Staples went on to swim at Brock before transferring to the University of Guelph. She and Graeme both inherited their love of swimming from their mother.
By happy coincidence NU is Catholic, but going to a Catholic university wasn’t one of the boxes he needed to check off his list.
“It wasn’t that important, but it’s pretty nice to continuing going to a Catholic school.”
He is receiving a “tiny athletic” scholarship as well as an academic scholarship from Niagara University.
“Probably a little bit ahead of the game, not much though,” Staples said, comparing the offers he received.
At Notre Dame, he was a studentathlete for all seasons. In addition to swimming, and helping coach Lori Major mentor junior members of the squad, Staples played badminton, tennis, squash and ran cross-country.
At NU he will have to leave those sports simmering on the back burner.
“Sadly, yes. I’ll still be able to play them for fun, but there won’t be any tournaments,” Staples said.
He added that also would have been the case had he gone to a Canadian university or committed to Canisius.
“I have to focus on swimming.” He will probably miss tennis and badminton the most.
“Those were my favourites, for sure.”
Until that backyard pool gets warm enough for swimming, Staples will continue to keep his sea legs in ship shape by running to improve his cardio, and jumping rope and shooting baskets in his driveway for jump mobility.
“You burn so many calories when you swim. I have to jump rope, go for runs,” he said. “You do what you can to stay the most active.”
Staples hopes to get a jumpstart on training for the next stage in his career by using swimming bands that Niagara University recommended for resistance training.
The prospect of competing at the post-secondary level doesn’t faze him.
“No, not really. I’m more excited about it than anything,” he said. “I’m excited to learn new things.”
Staples set the pace in boys 200metre freestyle and third in the 100 at the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association championship in his final year at Notre Dame. He went on to place 10th and 11th, respectively, in the two events at provincials.
Staples’ value to the Notre Dame program in his four years in high school wasn’t limited to success in the water. He also received praise from his coach as a mentor for fellow students.
“There is no doubt his technical skills are exemplary, but they are not what makes him a fantastic coach,” Major said. “He is incredibly positive, enthusiastic, but most importantly engaged in every moment.
“At a meet, he is as excited for fellow teammates’ races as his own individual success.”
For the past five years, Staples has worked closely with Notre Dame swimmers with special needs.
“He has inspired, befriended, encouraged and lane-coached these swimmers battling physical and intellectual disabilities with genuine joy in his heart,” Major said.
Staples enjoys looking at swimming from a coach’s viewpoint.
“You get to see it from a different perspective. It’s not you jumping into the water at 6 a.m., it’s someone else,” he said with a chuckle. “You get to pass your knowledge down to people, and that’s pretty cool.”
STAR Swimming head coach T.J. Day is confident Staples has what it takes to succeed at the next level.
“Graeme is without a doubt one of my hardest working athletes over my coaching career,” Day said. “Graeme is going to be a great addition to Niagara University for he trains and competes with great passion.
“And a passionate athlete can do some amazing things.”
“You get to see it from a different perspective. It’s not you jumping into the water at 6 a.m., it’s someone else.” GRAEME STAPLES SOSSA SWIMMING CHAMPION